96 cavalier 2.2 weird no start problem

The car will start and run if i jump the terminals on the starter. I checked the yellow wire from the ignition switch and it has a constant 12 volts.... It shouldnt have this. Turn the key and it dosnt change. I checked the purple wire and its not getting power with the key on off or in the start position. The yellow wire has power even if there are no keys in the car and its off etc.... So is this the netrual safety switch and the ignition lock? I dont want to start buying parts until im sure about the problem.

The owner of the car has a flooded driveway and the water is about to the top of the tranny. She had to blast through it not to get stuck. Did the water short the switch and the ignition lock??? Any help would be great
Thanks
Kip Kilmer

retest from area in the column under dash after the ignition switch . if im correct tho,i think the purple is the starter trigger. hopefully someone will confirm

If we're talking about the same yellow wire. That wire goes hot with the ignition switch in the crank position. It shouldn't be hot all the time. Then from the neutral switch (automatic) to the ignition terminal on the starter solenoid, the wire is purple. Have you tried cranking the vehicle in neutral?

I saw your other post about using the wrong key. I'm not sure what that might have done to the theft system, not to mention the key cylinder or ignition switch. My information shows you have passlock theft system, that system has no effect on the starter circuit. It should still crank, if everything else is ok.

Yes the yellow wire from the ignition that shouldnt be hot is hot at all times. I think it got shorted out or something when she drove through the puddle. I just dont want to start throwing parts on the car and still have one or two more things wrong.

hey jdl, you got any info on getting the passlock bypassed on my 96 that wont start? (theft light on with no start)?

hey jdl, you got any info on getting the passlock bypassed on my 96 that wont start? (theft light on with no start)?

If your saying the starter won't crank, I don't think it is the theft system. If it cranks good and the theft lite is flashing. Have you tried a different key? Are there any codes? With the key on, will the theft lite eventually go out, may take a several minutes. If/when it goes out, will it then start?

There is some theft information, here, go to smpcorp.com then click on engine mangement link, click standard products, when that page comes up, click on tech info in left column. There will be a box that says (select symptom) a whole page of stuff, scroll down to ( computer relearn procedure ) there may be some information there that will give you some ideas. Sorry about all the links, my cut/paste didn't work. I don't know how to bypass that system.

I believe I saw some kits on the internet, for bypassing that system. Try a web search.

it cranks all day! theft light is on solid will not even go off in the relearn procedure. i just dont understand it. guess im gonna have to tear into the column